Pawprints on My Heart: The Story of Goose, the Service Animal., Young Bunny Sumner

In desperate need of a solution that didnt leave me terrified and constantly dealing with unwanted side effects, I agreed it was worth a try. But at nearly six feet tall, I knew there were only a few breeds of dogs that might work. My first service dog, Sassy, was a Mastiff. Sassy was a good dog, and she served me well.

But it was Sassys successor, Goose, a beautiful Blue Merle Great Dane, who changed my world.

Unlike any other dog Id ever met (and, animal lover that I am, Id met plenty), Goose exuded elegance and calm. Right from the beginning, her poised confidence surprised me, especially compared with Sassys boisterous sociability. Gooses behavior was far from canine. It was more than humane; it was practically human. Though I didnt realize how much Id needed it, I was immediately grateful for her patience, love, and support.

Though Id dreaded the ordeal of living with my heart condition for the rest of my life, I began to discover living with a disability didnt have to be the end for me.